Despite a marginal improvement in safety statistics, Mumbai's suburban railway network continues to be a deadly commute for its millions of daily passengers. Data from the Government Railway Police (GRP) reveals that more than six people lost their lives every single day in 2025 due to various incidents while traveling on the city's lifeline.
A Grim Toll: The Numbers Behind the Tragedy
The total number of fatalities on the Mumbai rail network in 2025 stood at 2,287, marking a 7% decrease from the 2,468 deaths recorded in 2024. Similarly, injuries saw a 5% reduction, falling from 2,697 to 2,554. However, activists and commuters stress that these figures remain alarmingly high, pointing to a systemic crisis in urban planning and transport infrastructure.
The Thane GRP section reported the highest death count at 278, followed closely by Kalyan with 266 and Borivli with 244 fatalities. Experts attribute the severe numbers in the city's outskirts to rapid, unchecked development and the absence of viable alternative transport for the working population.
Leading Causes: Trespassing and Overcrowding
Nearly half of all deaths (1,063) were a direct result of track crossing, with the Thane section alone accounting for 144 such tragedies. The second major cause was overcrowding and commuters falling onto tracks after losing their balance, which claimed 525 lives. The Kalyan section was the most dangerous for this, reporting 98 deaths from falls.
On the Central Railway (CR) network, a combined 30% of all fatalities occurred in the Thane, Dombivli, and Kalyan sections. Regular commuters frequently highlight the perilous "Mumbra curve," a site of a tragic accident on June 9 where five passengers were killed and several injured after coaches of two opposing trains came dangerously close.
Commuters and Activists Voice Systemic Failures
Passenger rights activist Lata Arghade directly linked the high death toll to the city's housing crisis and inadequate rail capacity. "The middle class cannot afford homes in Mumbai and scores of new apartments have mushroomed beyond Thane. But the frequency and capacity of trains have not kept pace with demand," she stated.
Echoing the daily struggle, Thane resident Mangesh Patil described peak-hour locals as unbearably packed, making boarding a fight even after skipping multiple trains. Arghade added that suburban services often face delays due to priority given to long-distance trains. She also noted that preventive measures like compound walls built by the Railways to curb track crossing are often broken by people seeking shortcuts.
Railway's Response and Long-Term Plans
In a submission to the Bombay High Court last July regarding a Public Interest Litigation (PIL), Central Railway detailed several safety measures already undertaken. These included:
- Fencing at 47 platforms.
- Sealing of 204 trespass-prone openings.
- Removal of 1,260 encroachments.
- Installation of warning systems at high-risk locations.
For the long term, CR plans significant corridor upgrades like the Panvel-Karjat and Airoli-Kalwa links. On the Western Railway (WR) side, a spokesperson informed that capacity augmentation work worth Rs 7,700 crore is underway to enhance suburban train capacity. The official also highlighted digital monitoring of over 479 lifts and escalators and plans to install 45 more lifts and 62 escalators within two years.
While these initiatives signal progress, the persistently high death count underscores an urgent need for faster, more comprehensive solutions to make Mumbai's railway commute safe for its resilient citizens.
